Transparency training for local councils among projects to be implemented under Norwegian funds Programme

Malta will be benefitting from €8 million in EEA and Norwegian Grants under the programming period 2014-2021

A training programme in principles of good governance, transparency and accountability for Local Council staff, is among a number of social projects that will be implemented under the EEA/Norway Programme for 2014-2021.

The projects were announced by parliamentary secretary for EU funds Aaron Farrugia, who said that Malta would be benefitting from €8 million in funding which aimed specifically at urban development and poverty reduction.

The parliamentary secretary added that the chosen projects reflected the Maltese government’s vision for a social Europe.

Farrugia was speaking at the launch of the EEA/Norway Programme 2014-2021, a programme which will include a number of projects focused on social inclusion, youth employment and poverty reduction, while prioritising the reduction of the number of children, young persons, and vulnerable persons at risk of poverty and social exclusion, amongst others

Farrugia said that in the face of rising populism and euroscepticism, the government was attempting to address social inequalities and divergences while assuring socio-economic convergence amongst all of society.

Addressing the event, the Norwegian Ambassador to Malta Margit Tveitan said that the programme contributes to increased bilateral exchanges and significant transfer of knowledge, which strengthens the relationship between Malta and Norway.